Prior. I do but indistinctly hear thy words,
But feel they have some fearful meaning in them.

Ber. Oh, that I could but mate him in his might !
Oh, that we were on the dark wave together,
With but one plank between us and destruction,
That I might grasp him in these desperate arms,
And plunge with him amid the weltering billows,
And view him gasp for life!-and

Ha ha!-I see him struggling!

I see him!-ha! ha! ha!

Prior. Oh, horrible!

[A frantic laugh.

Help!-Help to hold him, for my strength doth fail!
Enter two Monks.-They support Bertram.

Richard Lalor Shiel.

THE APOSTATE.

HEMEYA, the last Descendant of the ancient Moorish Kings of Granada, loves FLORINDA, Daughter of the COUNT ALVAREZ, and, to obtain her hand, he becomes an "Apostate." FLORINDA is also sought in Marriage by COUNT PESCARA, a Persecutor of the Moors.

COUNT ALVAREZ, HEMEYA, FLORINDA.

Alvarez. [To HEMEYA.] I come to seek you, for the gorgeous temple

Is kindled with the Church's brightest pomp;

And thousands wait your presence, to begin

The rite of adjuration.

Hemeya. Is my fate so near its hard completion?
Alv. It is well

Thou hast consented, else the fiercest fires

The Inquisition kindles for the Moors,
Had been thy portion.

Florinda. Then lose not an instant;

Take him, my father, else he will go back.

Alv. To-night a priest shall join your wedded hands. Hem. And let that thought alone possess my soul ! Upon the verge of ruin I will gaze

On the bright vision that allures me on,

And leads me to the gulf; I'll turn my eyes

Tow'rds the star-studded heaven, where still it shines
While I am sinking. Yes, when I behold thee,
Conscience is scarce a rebel to thy charms.

I go, Florinda; do not forget

That, if I dare be guilty, 'tis for thee!

Flor. I am happy now

[Exeunt ALVAREZ and HEMEYA.

A beam of angel-bliss falls on my heart,

And spreads Heaven's light about it.

[The gates of the Inquisition open-the bell tolls twice.

What do I see?

Enter GOMEZ, PESCARA, and Inquisitors, from the interior of the Edifice.

The Inquisition's servants- -Gomez, Pescara !

[Rushes up wildly and exultingly to the Inquisitors.

He is a Christian! he has 'scaped your toils.

Heaven watches o'er his safety! you are foiled!

Stir not another step; back, back again—

Back to your cells and caverns. Do you not see
Faith, like an angel, hov'ring o'er his head?
Back, back! he is a Christian!

Gom. [Advancing towards her.] Who art thou,

That with loud adjuration hast presumed
To interrupt the servants of the Church?

Pes. Forgive her, holy father, for she seems
Touched with inspiring power.

[Goes up to her.] The fair Florinda! I cry you mercy, madam.

Flor. Pardon me, I know not what I said.

Pes. Ay, but I know it. Stay, stay, fair maid! [To Gomez.] Speed, Gomez, strike the blow, Strike it at once! And, hark ye, as you go, Think that Pescara will not be ungrateful.

[Exeunt GOMEZ and Inquisitors.

Flor. He sends him forth

Upon some dreadful purpose.

Pes. Do you deign

To look upon the wretch from whom your eyes
Were ever turned with loathing? but 'tis merciful.
This sun-set beam of hope-nay, do not tremble;
You should not fear the man that you despise.

Flor. My lord, 'tis not my purpose to offend you:
One poor request is all that I entreat;

Tell me, what cause has called these men of death
Forth from their dread abodes? whom do they seek?
What is their dread intent? teach me, my lord;

I do conjure you, teach me.

Pes. Ay, 'tis your sex's vice; when curiosity

Once stings a woman's heart, Scorn will turn suppliant,
And Hate itself will almost learn to woo.

Flor. Not against him?

Pes. Who is it that you mean.

I do not understand you?

Flor. His dark eye

Glitters with horrid meaning-" like the glass,
Within whose orb the voice of magic calls

The fiends from hell, within its fiery globe
The demon passions rise!"

My lord, forgive me

That I have dared to ask: I take my leave.

Pes. [Stopping her.] Nay, do not go; although I am

forbid

To tell the secrets of the Inquisition,

Yet something can I tell you.

Flor. Well, my lord!

Pes. 'Tis but a dreamn.

Flor. You mock me.
Pes. Do not think it;

You are a pious and believing maid,
And long within a convent's holy cells
Communed with Heaven's pure votaries.

I remember

When you did marvel what young virgins meant,
When all their talk was love; for on your heart
It fell like moonlight on a frozen fountain.
That heart has melted since ;-but you, perchance,
Have still retained enough of true belief
Not to despise a vision! On my couch,
Last night, I long lay sleepless; I revolved
The scorns, the contumelies I have suffered,

But will not brook; at last, sleep closed my eyelids,
And then methought I saw the am'rous Moor
In all the transports of exulting passion,
And I stood by, chained to a fiery pillar,
Condemned to gaze forever; while two fiends
Did grin and mow upon me.

Senseless I fell with rage.

As thus I lay,

Forth from the yawning earth a figure rose,

Whose stature reached to Heaven; his robes appeared
Woven out of solid fire! around his head

A serpent twined his huge gigantic folds;
And on his front, in burning characters,
Was written, "Vengeance!"

Flor. Vengeance! oh, my lord,

You fright me! but I ne'er offended you;
What crime have I committed?

Pes. Listen to me:

He cried, "Do not despair!" and bade me follow.
Flor. Let me depart-

Pes. I followed

He led me to a bower of Paradise,

And held a cup of joy, which, he exclaimed,

Was mingled by himself;-I quaffed: 'twas nectar, And thrilled within my heart-then, then, Florinda !— Flor. Let me implore you

[Struggling. Pes. Then, within my arms methonght I pressed thee. Flor. Hold! this violence

Pes. Nay, do not talk of violence:

You seemed a willing and a tender bride,

And rushed into my bosom !

Flor. Count Pescara,

I must not hear this mockery! do not speak
Of what you should not think! this very day
Shall bind me, with an everlasting vow,
To him!-ay, him! I do not fear to tell it,
To him my heart adores. "Tis not to me
You should unfold your horrid fancies.

Pes. Mark me! there's oft a prophecy in dreams.

[Exit.